Overview of Measures on
Circular Economy in Japan
16th November 2021
Takaaki ITO (Alaska)
Director
Office for Promotion of Sound Material-Cycle Society,
Environmental Regeneration and Material Cycles Bureau
Ministry of the Environment, Japan

Redesign the Socio-Economic Structure through“Three Transitions”

Redesign the socio-economic structure toward more sustainable and resilient⇒Achieving SDGs in local area

3 Transitions
1.DecarbonizedSociety
Decarbonizing under“New Normal” situation
Accelerating Innovation

2.CircularEconomy

Implementing “ResourceCirculation Strategy on Plastic“
Sustainable and resilient waste
management system3.Decentralized
Society

Promoting renewable energy
Promoting new life style andbusiness utilizing nature andbiodiversity
Climate change and disasterprevention, adaptive recovery

Measures supporting the Transitions

Society Transformation utilizing
ESG Finance, Nudge, or by startingup new business

Protecting Basic Health & Environment

Enhancing Environmental Cooperation
Strategy
Cooperation toward COP26 on climate change
and COP15 on biodiversity
Expand and deepen “Osaka Blue Ocean Vision”
initiative
Infectious disease measures
Asbestos,PCB and Mercury

2

Toward Net-Zero GHG Emissions by 2050 Based on the Waste and Recycling Sector sMedium- and Long-term Scenarios
Decarbonize through resource productivity improvements based on the 3R+Renewable
concept and update the medium- and long-term scenarios while exploring concrete, profound,and detailed approaches to the implementation of each measure as well as establishing aframework to develop and promote various systems

The Waste and Recycling Sector s
Medium- and Long-term Scenarios (Draft)

Decarbonization through resource productivity improvements based on 3R+Renewable(Possibilities through circular economy approaches)

Establishment of aframework to develop andpromote various systems

Direction of measures

Concrete, profound, and detailed
approaches to implementing each measure

Key area I: Decarbonize theentire life cycle of materials
through recycling

Cooperate and coordinate with other sectors
Further advance the 3R+Renewable
concept
Further explore materials
Promote appropriate material conversion toensure sustainability• Develop a framework topromote regional andprivate-sector activities

Select and evaluate regionally suitablesystems and technologies
Cooperate with local communities andarterial industries for effective use ofproducts and energy
Study CCUS

• Provide assistance forhuman resources andinstitutions supporting local
government activities

Promote and deploy technologicalinnovations• Explore systems in line withnational and societal trends

Key area II: Develop a waste
disposal system contributing
to regional decarbonization
Key area III: Decarbonize
waste disposal facilities,vehicles, etc.

• Change the mindsets andtrends of manufacturers andconsumers• Adjust project schedules

Update on the medium- and long-term scenarios

Review and selection of technologies / review on measure costs / review on processing flows / reflection of
the latest trends and information3Ｇ７・G20
G7 Climate and Environment Ministers Meeting
Date 20-21 May 2021 (Online)
Countries G7 countries (Presidency: UK), Guest countries(AU, ID, KR, ZA)
Japan s proposal the development of circular economy
and resource efficiency principles
Ｇ20 Environment Ministers Meeting
Date 22 July 2021
Countries G20 countries (Presidency: Italy), Guestcountries (ES, NL, SG etc.)
Japan s proposal sharing information on relevant
national indicators, targets and best practices in all theseareas to strengthen policy development and by further
developing its portal4

Plastic Resource Circulation ActThis Act addresses whole lifecycle of plastics (i.e. from designing products to disposing plastic waste)
and involves all stakeholders in promoting “3R+Renewable”and increasing circularity.
[Guidelines for Design for the Environment]
Develop guidelines for Design for the Environment for manufacturers and establish a mechanism to certify products
designed in accordance with the guidelines.
The government procures preferentially the certified products (under the Act on Promoting Green Procurement)
and provides financial support to the manufactures.
<Replaceable bottles>[Reduction of Single-use Plastics]
Set criteria for retailers and service providers to reduce single-use plastics.
The competent ministers may issue recommendations and orders to suppliers who provide large amountsof single-use plastics when their actions are found significantly insufficient in light of the criteria.
[Separation, Collection, and Recycling byMunicipalities]
Municipalities can recycle plastic productwaste effectively under the current
recycling scheme for containers andpackaging
Municipalities develop a recycling plan incollaboration with recyclers.
When the plan is approved by thecompetent ministers, the recyclers canrecycle plastics without sorting andbailing by municipalities.

<Single-use plastics>[Recycling by Waste Generators]
Set criteria for waste generators to reduce andrecycle plastic waste.
The competent ministers may issue
recommendations and orders to waste
generators who generate large amounts ofplastics when their actions are foundsignificantly insufficient in light of the criteria.
Waste generators develop a recycling plan.
When the plan is approved by the competent
ministers, the waste generators can recycle
without service permission under the Waste
Management Act.

Transition to circular economy through advancing circulation of resources

5Japan Partnership for Circular Economy (J4CE)
Japanese Government and Keidanren launched the "Partnership for
Circular Economy" as a public-private partnership. The goal is tofurther foster understanding of the circular economy, promote initiatives,and increase Japan's presence in the international community.
Founder Ministry of the Environment
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Keidanren (Japan Business Federation)
Members: 131 companies/organizations
Secretariat: Institute for Global Environmental
Strategies
Established in 2 nd March,2021

Sharing
Japan's advanced initiatives andsolutions domestically andinternationally• 131 cases available fromhttps://j4ce.env.go.jp/en• Booklet on 28 noteworthy
cases

Accelerating
the activities forcircular economy bysharing the latest trends
and formulating
network of stakeholders
within and beyond
sectors.

Setting up
dialogues

among thestakeholders topromote thecircular economy

6Thank you